雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'environmental determinism' posits that the physical environment, rather than social conditions, is the primary force shaping human culture and societal development. This theory, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, argued that climate and geography directly influenced the temperament and technological advancement of a population. However, modern geographers largely reject this deterministic view, noting that human innovation and cultural exchange often overcome environmental constraints. Instead, they advocate for 'possibilism', which suggests that the environment offers a set of possibilities, but human choices and cultural values ultimately determine outcomes. This shift reflects a broader academic trend towards recognizing human agency over passive environmental influence.